Cpl Holmes, of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, was providing protection for his patrol as it investigated a compound when the explosion happened, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.

The MoD said Corporal Holmes was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) close to patrol base Waterloo, in Sangin, Helmand Province.

His family released a statement which read: “Harvey lived for his family and his friends but his passion was the Army. He has made his family extremely proud for the sacrifice he has made and will be missed every day. Harvey has died a true hero and will be with us forever in our hearts.”

His death, the first since April 7, took the number of British service personnel who have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 to 282.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Commanding Officer 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), said: “He showed true promise and had a great future, but this has been cruelly stolen from him, his family, his girlfriend and his many friends.

“In his five years with the First Battalion he had passed some of the most arduous courses on offer, and served in Northern Ireland, Belize, the Falkland Islands and Iraq. He had been promoted twice in quick succession, most recently to corporal just last Christmas.”

He added: “We will remember him as the Cheshire oak that he was, standing firm always, and striking hard only to save others who were in trouble. He was the epitome of the modern British soldier and we will miss him deeply. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this most difficult of times.”

Major Mark Ellwood MBE, Officer Commanding A Company, 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), added: “Corporal Harvey Holmes, known by all as ‘Holmesy’, was the very epitome of professionalism. Whilst serving in the Falkland Islands, he was able to visit Mount Longdon where his late father had served with the Parachute Regiment during the 1982 conflict. This was an emotional experience for him as his father was a huge inspiration to him.”